Harden drops 42 as Rockets drop Wiz, 109-103.

The Wizards have no answer as James Harden drops 42, and the Rockets beat the Wizards 109-103. John Wall came up one rebound shy of a triple-double posting 26 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds. Marcin Gortat added 18 points and 13 assists in his first game back since dealing with a personal matter.

The Rockets were blazing hot to start the game whereas the Wizards were ice cold. The Rockets started 9-14 from the field to counter the cold 5-17 start from the Wiz. James Harden got cooking early knocking down threes, getting to the lane, and doing his dance to get open shots. Harden scored 10 points in the first as the Rockets led 30-17.

After a cold start, Bradley Beal started heating up a bit hitting his first two field goals to start the second quarter. Uncharacteristically, Gary Neal came in off the bench and missed his first two shots. Something we’re not used to seeing.

Just when it looked like the Wizards were going to make a late first half push, they turn the ball over on three straight possessions and trailed 56-47 at half.

Harden was rolling. This time doing his step back dance on Bradley Beal who was trying to slow down the lefty. Someone should use the tape from Dudley in the third for a highlight reel as he forced three steals in four straight Rockets possessions all leading to Wizards’ buckets.

With the Wizards on an 11-0 run and trailing by just one, Bradley Beal came up with a loose ball and threw an alley-oop to John Wall. Wizards regained the lead 63-62 for the first time since very early in the game.

Wall turned it on in the third quarter scoring 12 points including several tough jumpers to keep the Wizards within striking distance. The Wizards were able to stretch the lead to six but led by just one, 83-82 heading into the fourth.

James Harden kept rolling and the Wizards had no defense. Tough jumpers, check. Long three-pointers, check. Using herky jerky moves to get to the line, check. He picked on Bradley Beal for most of the fourth quarter.

The Wizards were up 97-95 with 4:30 to play but that’s when everything fell apart. Rockets close this game on a 14-6 run and win 109-103.